Gwendolyn Herron is a Business Office Representative and a Steward at Whidbey Health Medical Center. When the HR Director told them that she was raising the number of hours that would qualify workers as part-time, Gwendolyn and her fellow co-workers took action. Gwendolyn knew that making this change would affect workers’ ability to qualify for benefits. She also knew that the hours were negotiated in her union contract and were protected. Gwendolyn stated, “We voted on our FTEs…we felt she can’t just change it…if they raise the FTEs it takes away worker’s benefits.” Great leaders like Gwendolyn know the protection their union contract provides. Gwendolyn along with her fellow co-workers stood together and used that contract protection to stand up for the rights of all workers at Whidbey.

UFCW 21

UFCW 21 is the largest private-sector union in Washington state, with over 45,000 members working in grocery store, retail, health care, meat processing and other industry jobs. UFCW 21 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.

To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.